Automobile-axle.



F. J. BALLWEG.

AUTOMOBILE AXLE. APPLICATION flLED JAN. 30. 1913..

Patented May 22, 1917.

U ITED. s'rA'rEs P N OFFICE.

'FRANK'JAMES BALLWEGQOF MOBILE, ALABAMA." J

' AUTOMOBILE-AXLE.

To all whom it may concern Beit known that I, FRANK JAMns BnLL- wnc, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mobile, in the county of Mobile and State of Alabama, have invented new and useful Improvements in" Automobile-Axles, of which the following is a specification.

I The 1 present invention relates broadly to the class of axles and more particularly to an axle especially used in connection with automobiles and other motor driven vehicles.

An object of my inventionis to provide an axle whereby the wheels. supporting the samemay be adjusted to different angles in relation thereto. 7

Another objectof my invention is to provide anaxle wherein the wheels supporting the same'may be adjusted to diii'erent angles independent thereof, and means for eliminating the friction generated-by such an operation.

A further object of my invention is'to provide an axle supporting an auxiliary axle at its extremity, the latter carrying the supporting wheels of the device; By this arrangement it is recognized that the auxiliary axles may be adjusted to different angles in relation to the main axle, especially in view of the fact that means have been provided for eliminating friction between the axles.

A still further objectof my invention is to provide a device of the above mentioned character whichconsists of but a fewsimple parts whereby it may be manufactured and placed upon the market at a minimum cost.

my invention relates to such details of construction and in the arrangement and com= bination of parts as will be hereinafter fully described and specificallypointed out in the appended claims. y e V In describing my invention in detail, ref:

'erence will be had to thefaceompanying drawings wherein like characters denotelike or corresponding parts throughout the several views and in which;

Figurel is a fragmentary view of the main axle illustrating the subordinate or auxiliary axle in pivotal engagement therewith.

Fig. 2 is'a plan view of my invention as,

illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a semi-circular Specification of Letters Patent.

lVith the above and other objects in view.

guide track provided and used in connection with the auxiliary axle as will be hereinof the auxiliary axle illustrating means for ePatented May22, 191v. hppli'cationlfiled January 30, 1913. Serial No. 745,242.

supporting a friction pulley therein, the;

latter operating upon the guide track above ment oned. V I a Fig. 5. is a sectlonal view of a portion of the auxiliaryaxle illustrating an improved bearing which I have provided. a

Fig. 6isa side elevation ofthe friction pulley above mentioned.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary View of a portion of the auxiliary axle, illustratingmeans forsupporting the friction roller in its up permost position there1n.-

illustrated the preferred form of my invention the numeral 10 designates the body pore In the accompanying drawings wherein is Upon reference to Fig. 1 it will be seen that I the axle and extensions are formed integral, thus-allowing the entire mam portlon to be formed of a single sheet of material, consequently reducing the cost of manufacture of the device to a materialextent. I am not limited to the material used in the formation ofthe axle, yet; metal such as steel" or cast iron has proven very efficient and may be used if desired. i

- The axle lOas shown is pro'vided with an may be formed integral therewith. A por- I tion of the sleeve is also cut awayv to receive a plurality of ball bearings 16 for the purpose of eliminating the friction which would be generated between the sections and the subordinate axle during the manipulation of the latter.

Like the main axle, the subordinate axle is constructed preferably of steel or cast iron, but it is apparent that I am not limited to this, and other forms of material may be substituted if occasion requires.

As is usually the case the subordinate axle supports at its forward extremity an ordinary automobile wheel (not shown).

The rear end of the subordinate axle is slightly reduced as will be apparent upon reference to Fig. 1, and has a cut-out portion 17 formed therein which communicates with its under faces. As is clearly shown a pair of bearing blocks 18 are supported adjacent the cut-out portion as shown in Fig. 4, the bearing blocks being prevented from having accidental displacement through the medium of plates 19, the latter being held in engagement with the auxiliary axle by suitable fastening devices 25. A friction pulley 21 is further provided, which is supported partly within the cut-out portion 17 through the medium of a transverse pintle 22, the ends of the latter being supported in the blocks 18, as is clearly apparent upon reference to Fig. 5. Cut-out portions are provided centrally within the pulley which receive ball bearings 23, the latter being held in place by packing nuts 21. By the provision of the ball bearings within the pulley, and in engagement with the pintle it will be recognized that the friction which would be generated between the pulley and the pintle is lessened.

In order to maintain the roller 21 in contact with the track and thus maintain the parts in an eflicient relationship after they have become worn, I have vertically arranged bolts 21 in spaced relation adjacent the inner end of the subordinate axle, the bolts being threaded through the upper edge of the axle so that their free inner ends may engage one of the blocks 18: By this arrangement it can be seen that by operating the bolts and the blocks 18 which are slidably mounted in the cut-out portions 17 and which incidentally form a means for facilitating the rotatable revoluble mounting of the wheel, the latter may be at all times maintained in contact with a track.

Here particular reference is called to the construction of the friction pulley 21. In plan view the pulley is curved to assume a position substantially semi-circular, thus enabling it to be received upon and operate freely on a correspondingly curved guide provided therefor. A pulley constructed in this manner is essential to the efficient operation of my invention, and therefore the greatest of stress is laid thereon.

Consistent with the foregoing remarks, a substantially semi-circular guide supporting member 25 is provided which is dis posed horizontally and adjacent the lower of the extensions 12. A correspondingly curved friction plate 26 is provided upon the guide as illustrated, the latter being held in place through the medium of a plurality of countersunk screws 27 thus assuring its rigidity.

Transverse supporting arms 28 are also provided, the same having connection with the guide 25 near its extremities and with the lower of the extensions 12 as shown. This particular supporting means for the guide has proven very eflicient and is therefore usually employed, but it is to be recognized that other forms may be used if desired.

The operation of my invention is readily recognized in view of the foregoing disclosure. The subordinate axle being actuated by the operator, moves the sleeve 14 about the supporting structure and the pulley 21 about the guide plate 26. The friction generated between the subordinate axle and the main axle is decreased, thus greatly adding to the efficiency of my invention.

Such changes as are permissible by the subjoined claims may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a main axle, an arcuate track thereon, and a subordinate axle pivoted to the main axle, of a pintle, a roller rotatably mounted on the pintle and contacting with the track, and means adjustably mounted in the subordinate axle and having the pintle journaled therein whereby to adjust the roller when either the roller or the track has become worn.

The combination with a main axle, an arcuate track thereon, and a subordinate axle pivoted to the main axle, of blocks slidably mounted adjacent the inner end of the subordinate axle, a roller rotatably associated with the blocks and contacting with the track, and bolts adj ustably engageable in the subordinate axle and associated with the blocks for adjusting the blocks when either the roller or the track has become Worn.

FRANK JAMES BALLWEG.

lVitnesses:

C. T. GoRDY, JOHN REN'IH.

Copies of this patentmay be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

